Your Guide To RV Dishwashers
Can you put a regular dishwasher in an RV?
You love living or camping in your RV but the kitchen sink is tiny and you miss having a dishwasher.
The good news for you is you actually can have a dishwasher in an RV. It doesn’t have to be one made specifically for a camper either.
If it’s small enough, has a low enough water usage, and the weight is right, you can have a regular dishwasher in an RV.
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In fact, so many people are switching to RV living that they have even started installing RV dishwashers in larger campers right from the factory.
If you want to put a dishwasher in your camper you have a few options.
The first is portable countertop dishwashers. The benefit to this style is there’s no installation necessary, some can be put away after use, and they don’t usually weigh a lot.
The downsides, they can’t wash a ton of dishes at one time, and they could move around during travel if you don’t secure them.
The second option for an RV dishwasher is to get a small built-in one.
The big pros to a built-in camper dishwasher are they can fit more dishes, they won’t move during travel, and they don’t require any counter space.
The cons, installation can be difficult, you may have to rearrange some kitchen cabinets to make one fit, and they often weigh a lot and use more power and water.
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In this review, I’ve found some of the best RV countertop and built-in dishwashers for camping and RV park living.
I’ll go over some basic specs like water and power usage to help you decide what kind is going to be best for your camper and the RV lifestyle.
Most Portable & Versatile
Best Wash
Best Permanent Option
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best RV Countertop Dishwasher Reviews
1. KAPAS RV Countertop Dishwasher
The KAPAS countertop dishwasher for small living spaces is the easiest and most versatile way to get a dishwasher into your RV.
It’s pretty small measuring only 16 inches long, 16 inches wide, and 17 inches tall.
It weighs only 26.4 lbs.
The plastic and glass door opens downward and there’s a small dish tray that rolls out. It can fit 9 inch plates easily but 12 inch place will need to be placed at an angle to fit.
There’s a top utensil tray that rolls out as well.
There are two ways you can supply water to this portable RV dishwasher. You can connect a water hose to your faucet or pour water into the reservoir on top.
It uses 3 cups of water per cycle.
There’s a heating element inside that can heat the wash water up to 167F.
It will use a maximum of 900 watts per hour depending on the settings. Long wash cycles that use hot wash and rinse water will use the most power while a fast cold water cycle will use the least.
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There are 6 washing programs: standard, quick, strong, ECO, fruit, and dry. The longest cycle takes 89 minutes and the fastest only 19.
If you are boondocking you can choose a fast cycle that doesn’t heat the water to save power.
The controls are via a touch panel on the front top of the unit.
The glass front is pretty cool because you can see what’s going on inside the camper dishwasher at all times.
It’s compatible with pods, liquid, or powder detergent.
The KAPAS RV Countertop Dishwasher is probably one of the best options for 1-2 people living in a small space.
It’s extremely portable and I like that it has the water fill option so you don’t have to have it near the sink to run.
The main downside is of course the lack of space inside. It can still fit quite a bit. It can wash a big pan and all of the mugs, plates, and bowls 1 or 2 people use in a day.
For couples, this is going to be one of the best options for a camping dishwasher.
PROS
- Very Low Water Usage
- Low Power Usage
- Lightweight
- No Installation Required
- Two Water Source Options
- Lots Of Wash Settings
CONS
- Can’t Fit A Ton Of Dishes
- Takes Up Counterspace
2. HomeLabs Countertop Dishwasher
The HomeLabs countertop dishwasher is a fantastic option for campers with a little more counter space.
It measures 20.2 inches long, 21.6 inches wide and 17.2 inches tall.
It weighs 42.5 lbs when empty.
The HomeLabs RV countertop dishwasher can easily fit lots of plates that are up to 10 inches in diameter (12 inch plates at an angle), mugs, bowls, and lots of utensils.
The utensil basket sits in the middle and has 6 compartments.
There’s even a shelf that folds out from the side for knives or small teacups.
The door opens downward and the dish tray rolls out.
There are 7 wash cycles controlled via a touchpad located in the center of the door.
You can choose: heavy, normal, ECO, high temp, quick wash, glass, and rinse.
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The cycles can take anywhere from 24 to 100 minutes and the water temperatures can reach up to 140F.
The water usage will be anywhere from 1.5 to 3.3 gallons.
It can use up to 324 watt hours depending on the cycle chosen.
There is only one water supply option. That’s via the faucet. There’s an adapter included to fit onto most standard kitchen faucets and the drain hose will output the water into the sink.
The HomeLabs Countertop Dishwasher is going to be able to easily handle dishes from 2-4 people.
If you have a family this is going to be one of the better options. It’s a little bigger and heavier than some of the other RV dishwashers in this review but it can hold a lot, washes really well, and has a very low power usage.
PROS
- Very Low Power Usage
- Can Hold A Lot Of Dishes
- No Installation Required
- Washes Really Well
CONS
- Lowest Water Usage Is Over 1 Gallon
- Must Be Near The Sink To Connect To Faucet
- Takes Up A Ton Of Counter Space
- Heavy
3. Aikoper Compact Camper Dishwasher
The Aikoper is a lot like the KAPAS RV dishwasher reviewed above with a few differences.
It has a nice glass door and a touch control panel on the top front.
There’s no top utensil tray, which means it can hold plates up to 10 inches in diameter. It has a small rack that folds down from one side for utensils but there is no utensil basket included.
It measures 17.1 inches long, 16.5 inches wide, and 18.3 inches tall.
The total weight is 41.2 lbs.
This is a dual water source camper dishwasher which means you can either fill it with up to 1.6 gallons of water or connect it to the faucet of your kitchen sink.
The drain is a tube that you place in the sink so it can empty into your campers grey water tank.
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The power usage is max 760 watts per hour and the water temperatures from the inner heating element can get up to 162F.
There are 5 wash cycle modes: normal, hygiene, fruit, glass, and rapid.
The cycles will last anywhere from 40 minutes to 2 hours.
There’s a UV light for extra sanitation and the door will automatically open when the washing cycles are done to help the dishes dry faster.
The Aikoper Compact Camper Dishwasher is another small but super portable camping dishwasher that’s perfect for those who may not have room next to the sink in their RV.
You could really put it anywhere, just make sure you fill the water reservoir before turning it one and make sure there’s somewhere for it to drain.
PROS
- No Installation Required
- Two Water Source Options
- Door Automatically Opens When Done
CONS
- Can’t Fit A Ton Of Dishes
- Takes Up Counterspace
- Not Many Wash Settings
- Heavy
4. Black+Decker Countertop RV Dishwasher
Black+Decker makes some great kitchen appliances and its fantastic countertop dishwasher for small space living is a great option if you have the space for it in your camper.
It measures 21.7 inches long, 21.5 inches wide, and 17.2 inches tall.
The total weight is 46.2 lbs.
It’s a pretty standard countertop dishwasher. The door opens downward so you can roll out the dish rack.
It can fit dinner plates that are up to 10 inches in diameter and there’s a utensil basket. There’s also a small rack that folds down from the side for knives and cooking utensils.
This is the RV dishwasher with the highest power rating in this review. The Black+Decker can use up to 1,100 watts per hour.
The water usage will be anywhere from 2.25 to 3.3 gallons of water. That’s fairly high water usage and something to think about if you are a boondocker or dry camper.
The inner water heater can get wash water up to 140F.
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There are 7 wash settings: intensive, normal, ECO, glass, 90 minutes, rapid, and soak.
The settings can run anywhere from 45 to 100 minutes.
The different settings and functions are controlled via an LED display on the top of the door. The door also has a child lock which is pretty cool.
For water there is only one option, you have to connect it to your kitchen sink faucet. There’s an adapter included for most standard faucets and the drain hose will release the waste water into the sink.
With the Black+Decker Countertop RV Dishwasher you get a lot of space for dishes and excellent washing ability.
Many dishwashers can have a hard time washing even clean dishes but this camping dishwasher is going to give you maximum dish washing power.
PROS
- Can Hold A Lot Of Dishes
- No Installation Required
- Washes Really Well
- Gets Water Hot Fast
CONS
- Lowest Water Usage Is Over 2.5 Gallons
- Must Be Near The Sink To Connect To Faucet
- Takes Up A Ton Of Counter Space
- Heavy
Best Built-In RV Dishwasher Reviews
5. Edgestar Built-In RV Dishwasher
Now for the bigger built in dishwashers for full-time RVers who cook a lot or have to do daily dishes for a lot of people.
The Edgestar is one of the most popular small sized built-in camping dishwashers out there.
It’s 22.44 inches long, 17.63 inches wide, and 32.5 inches tall. Most standard RV counters are tall enough and deep enough to fit those measurements.
It weighs 52.9 lbs which isn’t really that much more than some of the bigger RV countertop dishwashers in this review.
Naturally, there’s a lot of space in this large RV dishwasher. It can fit up to 8 place settings of dishes and there’s even space for large 11 inch dinner plates.
There’s a utensil basket included and two dish rack shelves.
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The water usage is a little higher than the countertop camper dishwashers. It will use around 5.2 gallons per wash and you have to connect the water line to the freshwater line in your RV.
This can be done pretty easily, especially if you install it near the sink.
You will also need to connect the drain to the grey water tank. This is also going to be pretty easy if you connect to the drain used for the kitchen sink.
The power usage is surprisingly good. It will use up to 800 watts per hour and that can be decreased if you use a cold water cycle instead of hot.
There are 6 wash settings: heavy, normal, ECO, glass, rapid, and rinse. You can also adjust each setting with an optional sanitize, hi temp, and heated dry selection.
The cycles can run anywhere from 1 to 2 hours.
The settings are controlled via buttons on the top front panel above the door.
One cool thing is that there’s a leak sensor that will shut off the water flow if a leak is detected. This is especially nice for water damage prone RVs and campers.
The Edgestar Built-In RV Dishwasher is a fantastic option for full-time RVers who live or often camp in RV parks.
The high water usage means it’s best to be connected to city water when you use it but it could still be ok for dry camping if it’s only for a few days and you have a large freshwater and grey water tank.
The installation is going to take some knowledge and planning but once it’s installed there’s no having to worry about securing it for travel or setting it up every time you want to use it.
PROS
- Once Installed There’s Zero Set Up
- Can Fit Lots Of Dishes
- Lots Of Wash Settings
- Extra Options Like Sanitize, Hi-Temp & Heated Dry
CONS
- Difficult Install
- May Not Fit In Smaller Campers
- Must Be Connected To Freshwater Line & Grey Tank Drain
- High Water Usage
6. Danby Built-In Camper Dishwasher
The Danby built-in dishwasher for small kitchen spaces is another fantastic option for RVs and campers.
It measures 22.8 inches long, 17.8 inches wide, and 32.5 inches tall.
It weighs 56.2 lbs.
There are two dish racks and a utensil basket inside. It can fit up to 8 place settings worth of dishes.
There are 6 wash cycle settings: heavy, normal, ECO, rapid, glass, and rinse.
They are controlled via an LED screen and button on the top front above the door.
There are also 4 temperature settings which is a pretty cool feature for RVers, especially those who are living off grid and using generators or solar power.
The max watt usage per hour is 800 and the max water usage is 5.7 gallons but it could use a little less using the ECO mode.
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Since this is a built-in RV dishwasher you will need to find space for it under the kitchen counter and it will need to be connected to the freshwater line and grey tank pipe.
The Danby Built-In Camper Dishwasher is another fantastic permanent option for those who have a big family or use a lot of dishes when camping.
It washes really well and has a lot of different settings you can adjust depending on how much power and water you want your camping dishwasher to use.
Once again there is going to be a bit of an install, but once it’s set up it’s going to be ready to go whenever you need it.
PROS
- Once Installed There’s Zero Set Up
- Can Fit Lots Of Dishes
- Lots Of Wash Settings
- 4 Different Temperature Options
CONS
- Difficult Install
- May Not Fit In Smaller Campers
- Must Be Connected To Freshwater Line & Grey Tank Drain
- High Water Usage
What To Look For In An RV Dishwasher
Right Style For Your Camper
If you have an extra large RV like a Class A motorhome or 5th-wheel the kitchen is probably going to be pretty huge which really opens up your options.
If the counters are tall enough and there’s a good spot to replace some cabinets with a built in RV dishwasher that’s going to be a fantastic option.
If you have a smaller travel trailer or motorhome and you still want a dishwasher you may have to go with a countertop dishwasher.
One benefit to countertop dishwashers is they are often easy to move and can be put away after use to free up counter space.
You could also mount one permanently in the corner of an RV that has some empty counter space you don’t often use.
Weight
If you are planning on moving your RV dishwasher after using it getting the most lightweight one possible is going to be something to look for.
If you are going to install a built in one make sure you calculate the weight of the new RV dishwasher to the total weight of the RV to make sure you don’t go over the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating).
Luckily, many small RV dishwashers don’t weigh a lot and you can most likely find one countertop or built in one that won’t put you over any weight limits.
Power Usage
Since dishwashers use 120 volt power you are going to have to be plugged into a power source to use them in an RV.
If you mostly stay in RV parks this shouldn’t be an issue since none of the RV dishwashers in this review use more than 1,100 watts per hour which isn’t more than what the RV microwave or air conditioner uses.
If you are a boondocker you are going to have to be ready for the electrical load the dishwasher will put on your power source.
Most generators should be able to run an RV dishwasher with no issues but you will have to have the generator on for the entire washing cycle.
If you use batteries and a solar set up you can save power by getting an RV dishwasher that has a cold cycle option. Not having to heat up water will save a lot of power.
Water Usage
Water usage is another big deal for camper dishwashers.
Larger built in RV dishwashers use a lot more water than the smaller countertop ones. It’s something to think about if you mostly dry camp and boondock.
RV park campers who have full hookups won’t have any issues with the water usage of a camper dishwasher since the city water connection should be able to supply enough water and the grey tank can be emptied whenever.
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If you don’t normally have hookups getting a very low water usage dishwasher is something to look into.
Some of the RV countertop dishwashers in this review only use around 3 cups of water, that’s really awesome for boondockers who are living off of their freshwater tank and have to store wastewater in the grey tank.
Install Difficulty
A countertop camper dishwasher is the easiest kind to install. Just put it next to the sink so the drainpipe can reach it.
Depending on the kind you get you will either need to connect the water inlet to the sink faucet or just fill it with water.
Built-in RV dishwashers are much more difficult to install into a camper but once it’s done you don’t have to worry about it which can be a huge pro if you live in your RV.
You are going to have to tap into the freshwater pipes in your RV to hook up the dishwasher and you will also need to somehow connect it to the greywater drainage system.
None of this is impossible or really very difficult, but it does require some knowledge and tools.
You will most likely be having to tear out some drawers or cabinets to make room for the built-in RV dishwasher.
That means more work, and also giving up some storage space.
My Pick For Best RV Dishwasher
Best Dry Camping Dishwasher
KAPAS RV Countertop Dishwasher
For dry camping, the best overall has got to be the KAPAS countertop dishwasher.
It uses even less water than you would use to hand wash your camping dishes and it’s extremely lightweight and portable.
Even small campers should have space for this amazing little RV appliance and I think it’s a solid option for camping couples who are tired of doing dishes or are even looking to save water when doing dishes.
If you don’t have space for it to be stored on the counter you can put it somewhere else when not in use. It doesn’t weigh very much and it’s really easy to set up and run anywhere.
Best RV Dishwasher For Full-Time Living
Edgestar Built-In RV Dishwasher
I really like some of the countertop RV dishwasher options in this review even for big campers because they are so good at washing dishes.
But if you live in your RV full time with full hookups the best option is going to be one of the built-in RV dishwashers.
The Edgestar is one of the most popular compact dishwashers and it’s a solid choice for RVers.
It doesn’t weigh a ton, it should fit under most RV countertops, and it can hold a lot of dishes.
If you don’t mind remodeling your camper’s kitchen cabinets a little bit and you know how to do some plumbing this is going to be the best option for a camper dishwasher overall.
Once it’s in there’s no more set up required and no having to hook it up to a water source every time you want to use it.
Have any questions about RV dishwashers? Leave a comment below.
